AFTER a climate emergency was declared three weeks ago, Chard council and public have leapt into action to battle the growing problem.

Last week, councillors and members of the public joined forces with local campaign group Sustainable Chard to discuss how they can save the environment.

The action group is spearheaded by new Green town councillor Tim Eggins, who presented a list of targets to the town council last month.

Following the first meeting of Carbon Neutral Chard (CNC), he said: “ Chard has quietly been moving forward as an environmentally conscious community.

“Businesses such as Dovetails with their up cycled gifts, Eleos with its biodegradable takeaway cups and The Eco Deli with its minimal packaging have been ahead of their time.

“It now appears that the transition has moved up a gear or two.

“A Climate Emergency had been declared two weeks earlier by the town council and little time has been lost.

“A programme of tasks has been compiled and members of the team are taking them on to ensure the target of making the town carbon neutral by 2028 is achieved.”

The next CNC meeting is set to be held on April 4, at 7pm at Eleos cafe in Fore Street.

Tim added: “The target set is the most ambitious in the UK to date, but an holistic approach is being taken to keep the project moving forward.

“I have broken it down into individual tasks allowing members to take on one that they feel passionate about while working together to reach the finish line.

“Every aspect of the town is being considered and its impact on the planet reduced.

“Topics include: energy efficiency, public transport, renewable power, cycling, reducing plastic, planting trees and Eco fairs.”